Enhancing Mobility and Psychosocial Function in Obese Veterans Following Stroke Via Weight Loss and ExeRcise (EMPOWER)
VA Office of Research and Development
Summary
Weight loss interventions for neurologically health individuals have established benefits for improving physical and psychosocial function. The investigators believe that Veterans who have had a stroke would realize similar benefits and that the effects would be enhanced with concurrent exercise training. The investigators will study the effects of a 15-week lifestyle management program to determine if it can effectively improve some of the physical and psychosocial problems common in Veterans who have had a stroke.
Description
More than 2 million stroke survivors currently living in the U.S. are obese. Obesity is known to exacerbate age-related declines in function in these individuals and is associated with poorer clinical outcomes and quality of life. Weight-loss interventions are well-studied in neurologically healthy individuals and are shown to be effective for attenuating functional decline and improving quality of life. Despite these established benefits, there is currently an absence of studies investigating the effects of intentional weight loss on physical and/or psychosocial function in individuals follow…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 40–80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * A diagnosis of stroke at least 6 months prior * BMI \> 30 kg/m2 * Residual paresis in the lower extremity (Fugl-Meyer LE motor score \<34) * Ability to follow instructions, complete training and testing and to communicate exertion, pain and distress * Provision of informed consent * Individuals who meet inclusion criteria must complete an exercise tolerance test and be cleared for participation by the study cardiologist Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to ambulate at least 150 feet or experienced intermittent claudication while walking * Unstable cardiac arrhythmias, hy…
Interventions
- Dietary SupplementFOCUS-15 Lifestyle Management Program
15 week weight management program
- BehavioralExercise Training
15 weeks of progressive exercise training
Location
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SCCharleston, South Carolina